MSc in Bioeconomy: Biotechnology and Law

The MSc in Bioeconomy: Biotechnology and Law Program is being offered by the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Economics of the University Center of International Programs of Studies of the International Hellenic University. The program is designed to provide knowledge and develop skills for those occupied in public or private services dealing with the consultation, management, and studies of Biotechnological products and processes and willing to be involved in the Bioeconomy.

The program is interdisciplinary and it has primarily a practical purpose. It provides legal and management expertise, directly usable in all groups of scholars, those with legal education, business, and economical background, and those trained in relevant scientific and technological disciplines. The program is directed to students and executives who desire to expand their specialization in the relevant fields. The courses are taught exclusively in English and conducted through flexible learning methods combining traditional face-to-face education with distant learning.

The program aims are:

• The provision of knowledge and skills based on the most modern and innovative developments in Biotechnology is directly linked to the field of Bioeconomy
• The understanding and implementation of the basic regulatory rules and laws governing the production and promotion of biotechnological products, as well as the provision of services directly related to biotechnological applications in the fields of Biomedicine, Genetics, and Pharmacy
• The understanding and implementation of key regulatory rules and legislation related to biosafety issues for humans and the environment
• The provision of the basic technical and economic knowledge necessary to manage and promote biotechnological products and services
• The provision of interdisciplinary education in the field of Bioeconomy, which at the same time allows the development of all the skills required in the modern labor market at the international level

First Term:

• Biology and Environment: Basic concepts
• Biomedical Technology / Red Biotechnology
• Biolaw and Bioethics
• Management and Marketing Strategies
• Principles of Circular Economy

Second Term:

• Biomedicine Law
• Biosafety Management and Biorisk Assessment
• Agro/industrial, Marine and Environmental Biotechnology
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Bioeconomy
• The elective courses

Second term:

• Patent Law in Biological Applications
• Pharmaceutical Law
• Agri & Bio-Product Finance
• Applied Quantitative Methods for Decision Making
• Data Protection and Life Sciences

The Dissertation

The dissertation is an individual project of original scientific work. The subject is chosen from a list of topics suggested by a faculty member, who acts as a supervisor. Alternatively, students may choose a research-based dissertation of 12 months duration.

The graduates of the programme will be equipped with specialist expertise and high-level cognitive skills to become autonomous/self-directed professionals or find employment in consulting, policy and management roles in the sectors of biotechnological product development, regulation, management and marketing. Career opportunities may be found in:

• Biotechonological product enterprises of various sizes
• Cooperatives and industries of the biotechnology sector
• NGOs involved in bioethics and biosafety policy, rural development and environmental protection
• Government and local/rural agencies
• Research institutes
• National and international organizations active in bioproduct regulation and marketing
• Consulting agencies and environmental law firms